Ren Renfa Art
Ren Renfa, a Chinese painter, under the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), became an official, rising to the level of Vice-President of the River Conservation Bureau. He was famous for his paintings of horses, which were much admired by both his Mongol and Chinese patrons. In horse painting, he followed in the tradition of the Song-period (960–1279) artist Li Gonglin, which was characterized by use of the ‘iron-wire’ line and a minimum of shading. Ultimately, however, Ren’s style can be traced to the Tang (618–907) painters Yan Liben and Han Gan. Ren’s earliest surviving painting is dated 1280, indicating that he was a mature artist by his mid-twenties. Although he worked as an official under the alien Mongol emperors, he was capable of paintings that incorporated clear political messages. The most famous is Fat and Lean Horses (Beijing, Palace Museum), in which, according to his inscription, the fat horse represents the self-satisfied, wealthy official and the lean one the humble, poor, self-deprecating official.
Mid-20th Century Ren Renfa Art
Silk, Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Plywood
Mid-20th Century Modern Ren Renfa Art
Gouache
2010s Contemporary Ren Renfa Art
Paper, Watercolor, Ink, Pen
2010s Expressionist Ren Renfa Art
Paper, Watercolor
1940s Folk Art Ren Renfa Art
Watercolor, Gouache
19th Century Victorian Ren Renfa Art
Watercolor, Ink, Gouache, Pencil
1920s American Impressionist Ren Renfa Art
Gouache, Fiberboard
19th Century Ren Renfa Art
Watercolor, Pastel
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Ren Renfa Art
Watercolor
Mid-19th Century Hudson River School Ren Renfa Art
Gouache, Watercolor
1970s Realist Ren Renfa Art
Gouache, Paper
Early 20th Century Impressionist Ren Renfa Art
Watercolor
2010s Contemporary Ren Renfa Art
Ink, Mixed Media, Paper, Watercolor, Pen